Word Origin & History

dry O.E. dryge (adj.), drygan (v.), from P.Gmc. *draugiz. Of humor, 1540s; of places prohibiting alcoholic drink, 1870 (but dry feast, one at which no liquor is served, is from late 15c.). Related: Dried; drily. Of the two noun spellings, drier is the older (1520s), while dryer (1874) was first used of machines. Dry goods (1708) were those measured out in dry, not liquid, measure. Dry land (that not under the sea) is from early 13c. Dry out in the drug addiction sense is from 1967. Dry up "stop talking" is 1853.

Example Sentences for drying out

He's madder than we are, because we got our suppers and a drying out.

After drying out the flesh is fluffed and the grain dusted with French chalk.

This is a great assistance in drying out, which is the next and final operation.

It will tend to keep the soil from drying out so rapidly, but it is not a necessity.

This was in one sense not exactly flattering, but he did not immediately mention his great project for drying out the valley.

To insure a good surface and keep the cream from drying out, it may be well to dip the candy again after letting it dry a day.

These jackets are necessary as they keep the bulbs from drying out and having a hard crust.

Place one tablespoon of water in the pan to prevent burning or drying out.

They are then placed in a shed, pit, or cool cellar, and covered with sand or soil to prevent their drying out.

But underneath the packed surface of the sawdust, the heat of summer had been drying out the moisture for weeks.